Page 16 Thursday, December 24, 2009 The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Westfield Symphony’s Fashion Show ‘Touches 12/31 Celebration Diana DiMarzio (top) The Heart’ of Autism NJ Glenn Steven Allen By MARYLOU MORANO Andre and Sophia Principato. Johanna Brickey Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times “My heart is touched,” said Ellen Leon Williams WESTFIELD – The Woman’s Club Schisler, Autism New Jersey’s Director (bottom) of Westfield (WCW) celebrated the of Development. Comics Fight Cancer With spirit of the season with a Holiday Tea “We are grateful for all of today’s THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK and Fashion Show on December 5, at efforts, including those of the WCW the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. members, volunteers and models.” All monies raised by the event were The event raised nearly $3,000, ac- Laughter at The Crossroads donated to Autism New Jersey. cording to Jennifer Principato, WCW By ERIC NIERSTEDT arrested in my class for holding guns follow the light.”) WCW members and friends, and member and chairwoman of the event. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times the second week; I felt I’d made the Along the way, Mr. Anthony also several children from the community, “The Tea and Fashion Show was GARWOOD — On a Thursday wrong choice.”) told stories about growing up on modeled an array of formal- and every- truly a community event,” she explained, night earlier this month, the Garwood Following Mr. Fernades was Chris Staten Island (“They tried to ‘pretty day wear provided by Lord & Taylor of adding that the local businesses, Ana Crossroads put its biweekly Comics Jonston, who announced he was in up’ the dump with trees and flowers; Westfield. Beall’s Tea Room and Ahrre’s Coffee Night to good use, hosting a benefit town on “vacation from Linden.” He did they think we were morons?”), Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R- Roastery, both of Westfield, donated for Relay for Life, a marathon to began his set talking about how he his visits to the South (“They’d say, 21, Summit) was a special guest and beverages, while the Westfield Strings raise funds for the American Cancer cannot be in a bad mood in a rental ‘good morning;’ I’d say, ‘[What] the featured model. played a selection of holiday and clas- Society. Patrons made donations to car “because it makes bumps into hell’s so good about it?’”) and bored She wore a deep-purple cocktail dress sical music. the event and were rewarded with fun-zones” and began a staple of the kids (“They’ve got mobile phones designed by Oleg Cassini and a casual Local school children helped by serv- excellent comedy. night, calling out a patron dressed in and Blackberries, and at their age, I trouser-and-sweater pairing. ing and making decorations for the Kim Jonny, the event’s organizer a shiny sequined scarf – “Is that had a Slinky!”) Brett Malak of Westfield wore a win- church hall. and one of the evening’s comics, mermaid scale?” Despite seeming miserable ter white French Connection coat over Mrs. Principato was especially grate- was up first, with a brief set on her Mr. Jonston also talked about his onstage, Mr. Anthony had the audi- a deep-red Tahari business dress that ful to Ron Czebrowski, Lord & Taylor family life. Her first subject was her youth, saying he does feel his age but ence in stitches and was amazing at was accented by a wide black leather operations manager. husband, whom she last found in his can find himself in “creepy old man” ad-libbing. He ended his set by tell- belt. “He was wonderful to work with,” “work” space “listening to positions. He referenced a concert in ing the audience about his new DVD, “The dress has a vintage look to it. she said. Springsteen, eating White Castle, which he tried to show kids why he which he called his “kid’s Christmas You could say it is very ‘Jackie O-ish,’” Autism New Jersey is a nonprofit playing online poker and watching held up a lighter instead of a cell fund,” but said “don’t buy it because she commented. agency providing information, educa- TV – who says men can’t multitask?” phone, only to realize “I’m the only of guilt.” Other models included Sally Brown, tion, consultation and other services to She then moved on to feeding her 30-year-old at the Miley Cyrus show.” After the set, Ms. Jonny took the Jane Walsweer, Jordon Graham and people with autism. kids (“glass of wine always helps”) He also described how carnivals, stage for a brief raffle, and the well- Lorraine Doria. For more information, log onto and how she has to abbreviate pro- which he had enjoyed as a child, “are entertained audience went on its way, Modeling youth fashions were autismnj.org. fanity around her children (“my son the scariest places on earth” as an guided by the sparkling light of the Ronnie and Peter Munkittrick, Julian For more information about joining spelled ‘car’ ‘F-N-C-A-R.’”) adult (“the best ride is the ride home.”) scarf-lady. and Olivia Mazzola, Cas Malak and the WCW, call (908) 233-2339. Ms. Jonny then brought up Joe Ms. Jonny then came up for an- Fernandes, who, after taking the other set, describing how her chil- stage, asked patrons, “So, you guys dren are always bored, “[even] with Renowned Soloists to Join WSO for 12/31 Celebration all local or do you come to Garwood 500 toys,” and she told of her uncle WESTFIELD – On Thursday, stage roles, solo recitals, opera per- (directed by original choreographer Broad Street in Westfield. Tickets are on vacation?” After the jab, Mr. Nunzio’s talent of fixing everything December 31, at 7 p.m., under the formances and television appear- John Carrafa) and Cunegonde in also available from The Town Book- Fernandes began a very laid-back with duct tape. baton of Maestro David Wroe, the ances. Leonard Bernstein’s Candide. store in Westfield, Martin Jewelers in set, in which he mocked his lack of The night’s final comic, Joseph fully professional Westfield Ms. DiMarzio starred as the Beg- She has performed with the Pitts- Cranford and Paperfolio in Summit. height (“I’m Portuguese and Italian; Anthony, was both the longest and Symphony Orchestra (WSO) again gar Woman in the Tony Award-win- burgh Civic Light Opera in produc- in my family, I’m tall”) as well as his the most off the cuff. After telling presents one of New Jersey’s most ning Broadway revival of Sweeney tions of The Who’s Tommy, Sound of The Work of Tom Nussbaum younger brother, who is much taller the audience to give him real ap- popular New Year’s Eve musical Todd, a role she recently reprised Music, Pirates of Penzance and Car- then he is (“I told people, ‘Don’t plause, “not a golf clap,” Mr. An- celebrations. across the country in the show’s first ousel. Next Week mess with me, or my little brother thony began an ad-lib-filled set about This year’s performance, THE national tour. An event for the whole family, this will beat you up.’”) comics (“the ‘it’s great to be here in GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK, Guest Tenor Glenn Steven Allen is a friendly cabaret–style concert for He also referenced serious topics, ____’ line…it’s a lie”), Garwood, promises a superb revue of American has appeared on Broadway, Off- adults to reminisce to songs they all including his experience in rehab (“I (“I was going through Cranford, then musical theater classics presented in Broadway and at major regional the- know, for kids to enjoy some of the hate TV rehab, because it makes real I got here, and it went dark”) and the symphonic splendor and features atres throughout the United States. more peculiar characters to grace rehab look even worse”), his teach- patrons (“If you get lost, I’ll have international guest vocalists direct Recently, he starred in For Lovers Broadway’s stage and for all to revel ing career in Newark (“a kid got scarf lady stand outside, and you can from the Broadway stage and beyond. Only, a new Off-Broadway musical in the musical genius of some of WSO will welcome renowned at New World Stages. America’s finest musical theater American baritone Leon Williams, He was nominated for the presti- composers and professional who has performed as a soloist with gious Helen Hayes award for Best performers. The show will end at Honolulu Symphony, Florida Orches- Actor as Clifford Bradshaw in Caba- about 9 p.m.. CHRISTOFFERS tra, Baltimore, Reading, Alabama, ret at Arena Stage in Washington D.C. The WSO recommends that audi- Westchester, Grand Rapids, Hartford On Broadway, he appeared in The ence members make reservations as Established 1976 and Colorado Symphonies, as well as Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center. soon as possible, as tickets are selling with the National Philharmonic. Mr. He also starred in The Student Prince fast, and last year’s concert was a Flowers, Silks, Gifts Williams is also a regular performer at Papermill Playhouse. sellout. Tickets purchased in advance at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Soprano Johanna Brickey most re- are $35 for general admission and and Greeting Cards Italian-American soprano Diana cently performed the lead role of $65 for preferred seating ($40 and 860 Mountain Avenue DiMarzio has appeared on theatrical Cathy in the Tony Award-winning $70 at the door, if available.) and concert hall stages around the The Last Five Years at Denver Center Tickets may be purchased directly Mountainside NJ 07092 world.